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Chapter 1 Arranging the AutoCAD User Interface
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Tweaking Windows
Although using Windows out of the box works, you’ll get more out of your operating system —
and AutoCAD — if you make a few alterations. This section offers you tips and tricks for
tweaking the ubiquitous Windows.
These aren’t exactly AutoCAD tips proper, but knowing a few things about maintaining
the health of your operating system can make you a much happier CAD user and human
being. In addition, it’s a little-known fact that a few parts of AutoCAD’s UI aren’t controlled
by AutoCAD at all. Shhh…in these cases, AutoCAD must defer control to Almighty Windows.
Maintain a Healthy Disk Drive
How can you use AutoCAD successfully if you don’t install it on a healthy disk drive? The
following basic tips are essential reading for all Windows users.
Defragment and Check the File System
The two most important things you can do to maintain a healthy disk drive are to defragment
and error-check the file system periodically. We know it sounds like a hassle, but it isn’t:
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These things are easy to do, once you know where to find the tools.
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Defragmenting the file system will speed up your hard drive. If you’ve never done it
before, you’ll be pleased because you’ll probably feel like you have a brand new com-
puter. Maybe you can justify putting off that hardware upgrade for another year once
you see what an amazing tip this is.
In this section, we’ll reveal how to defragment on a schedule so you can literally set it
and forget it, We’ll also explain how to troubleshoot through error checking.
Defragmenting
Files aren’t the smallest unit of storage on a hard drive. The information in one file may be
stored in multiple clusters across several sectors, all over your hard drive (which is probably
more than you wanted to know).
Your data gets scattered in the course of doing your digital business, and over time your
hard-drive head (one of the moving parts) has to work harder to put all those tiny clusters
back together. If you’ve ever heard your hard drive grinding away without just cause (that’s
the head moving frantically), it’s time to defragment.
Defragmenting is like rearranging your closet. Everything gets tidied up so you save time
searching for what you want. Bonus: You’ll prolong the life of a hard drive by defragmenting.
To defragment, click the Start menu, and choose Run. Type
dfrg.msc, and click OK.
Alternatively, right-click your hard drive in Windows Explorer, and choose Properties. Select
the Tools tab, and click Defragment Now.
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